Estate Planning

A will is more than putting your last wishes on paper. It is a legal document enforceable by a court, and it must be legal and valid. Otherwise, it might be declared null and void when distributing your estate. Can the document you have withstand the legal test when...

Thinking about the end of your life may not be at the top of your list of things to do – but planning now can provide peace of mind down the road.  End-of-life planning, more commonly called estate planning, is all about getting plans in place to help manage risks...

While there’s no state inheritance tax in California, that doesn’t mean you’re completely in the clear from taxes after a loved one dies. For example, you may have to pay capital gains tax if you inherit property and then sell it. However, fortunately, it’s not as bad...

As someone creating or updating an estate plan in California, your life insurance likely plays a significant role in your plans. Your life insurance may be how you intend to replace your income to help support your family or how you intend to cover funeral costs and...

If you are new to estate planning, you might not understand what one or more powers of attorney can do for you and your family. These legal documents empower you to address several different issues in your estate plan. As a bonus, well-drafted powers of attorney can...

A California Advance Health Care Directive is a crucial part of any estate plan. All adults can benefit from having one in place because it allows you to make your wishes for medical treatment or ending of treatment known if you’re unable to speak for yourself.  Most...

As you consider how you want to leave an inheritance to your family, you may decide that you want to pay for your grandchildren's college tuition. You want to leave money behind so that you know they can get an education without having to worry about the cost,...

Emotions run high after a loved one passes away, even if you knew for a long time that their passing was coming. You may want to return to their home, which could even be your childhood home, to collect sentimental items. You want something to remember them by and you...

You don't have any children, but you and your spouse make a good living working in the tech industry. You decide to make an estate plan because you want to ensure that you have some say in what happens to your money and other assets if you were to pass away...

Make no mistake, life changes. And these changes come in all shapes and forms. People come and go. Circumstances change, too. Just like life, your estate plan should also be something that changes over time. At the very basic, estate planning is the process of...